december-2011

LESTER LEDESMA
trip journal
PHILIPPINES
BACOLOD
AREA CODE (34)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$.02)
TOUCHDOWN One arrives in Negros through
the Bacolod-Silay airport in Silay City. That’s
about 15km northeast of Bacolod City, or about
a 30-minute drive if there are no traffi c jams. In
Bacolod, there are plenty of tricycles.
BY DAY Take a city tour that includes the Negros
Museum, the Pope John Paul II Tower which
houses his relic, and the Barangay sang Birhen
chapel’s altar made of fi ne, natural shells. Visit the
certifi ed organic farms in Silay and Bago.
BY NIGHT After the ribs dinner at Ribhouse, walk
the grounds of the Bacolod Government Center to
check out the music and water fountain. Then end
your evening with a treatment at the O’Fisher Spa
& Wellness Center.
SLEEP East View Hotel, which is barely two years
old, has spacious rooms and soft beds. It is within
walking distance of banks, malls, restaurants and
call centers. www.eastviewhotel.com
{ 200 }
Maricar J.
Dabao
tour operator
BEST SOUVENIRS Masskara
T-shirts by Azatri, which are available
at Merci Pasalubong Centers.
BEST BUYS Dried fi sh at Central
Market and fashion accessories at the
Negros Showroom.
MUST-TRY Never leave Bacolod
without passing by Merci Pasalubong
Center (www.merci.com.ph) and eating
chicken inasal at Manokan Country.
DID D YOU
KKNOW?
WALTER VILLA
PHILIPPINES
ILOILO
AREA CODE (33)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN There are taxi services available
from PHP300 upwards. You can also hire
metered cabs right outside the airport. It’s a 30- to
45-minute ride to the city. Within the city, there
are tricycles and jeepneys.
BY DAY Visit the beautiful heritage churches of
Iloilo: Jaro, Molo, Miagao, Lapaz and Villa. Iloilo
is a food haven, so savoring Ilonggo cuisine like
batchoy is a must. Tour the city by simply talking
a leisurely walk around.
BY NIGHT Everyone will tell you not to miss
Smallville, which is considered Iloilo’s central
nightlife spot. Have some booze and baby back
ribs at Bourbon Street and Freska, if you still
haven’t had enough of Ilonggo cuisine.
SLEEP Sarabia Manor Hotel along General Luna
St is spacious and has an excellent location.
Rooms start at PHP800++ per night for simple
accommodations. www.sarabiamanorhotel.com
Jill J.
Villanueva
marketing
practitioner
BEST BUYS Iloilo delicacies
like biscocho, barquillos and
butterscotch at Biscocho Haus.
LOCAL SPEAK “Namit!”
means “Delicious!” and “Kaon ta!”
means “Let’s eat!”
BEST FESTIVAL Don’t miss
the Dinagyang Festival, which
happens every fourth Sunday of
January.
For a glimpse of Iloilo’s intriguing past,
head to Calle Real.